GO GREEN!

Earth-friendly ways to make your home more beautiful

Nov 3, 2011

You no longer have to choose between a home that's easy on your eyes and one that's easy on your health--and the health of the planet. So many companies are creating good-looking, eco-friendly products that we didn't have enough room to print them all. Here are additional choices for your next eco-redeco.

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Low-VOC Paint

• If your budget is tight, consider Benjamin Moore's more affordable low-VOC line, Eco Spec ($25 per gallon). It's sold widely in paint stores, but it's available only in pastel shades.

• Sherwin Williams' Harmony Interior line is free of VOCs and harsh solvents. This long-lasting paint comes in a full range of colors; however, the darker shades have a slight odor when wet because of the extra tint. It's $36 per gallon and available at most Sherwin Williams retailers (www.sherwin-williams.com).

Cork Flooring

• Natural Cork's floating floor (www.naturalcork.com) is pre-finished with VOC-free acrylic and looks similar to hardwood or terra cotta tiles. You can choose from a variety of colors, ranging from light blonde to deep brown. The planks, which cost $8 to $10 per square foot, click together--no adhesives required.

Cabinets

Most kitchen cabinets (and inexpensive pieces of furniture) are made of particleboard, plywood, compressed wood, or veneered wood. These materials often contain formaldehyde, which is released into the air for several months or years. It's best to avoid them if you can, especially if you have breathing problems, says Ian Greaves MD, an associate professor of environmental and occupational health at the University of Minnesota.

Alternative: Formaldehyde-Free or Solid Wood Cabinets

Currently there are no standards or certifications for cabinetry, so it can be tough to determine if a product is formaldehyde-free. Rest assured, these choices are truly eco-friendly.

• Humabuilt (www.humabuilt.com) offers cabinetry made with formaldehyde-free plywood sealed with ultralowÂVOC water-based finishes and adhesives. Also available: solid wood like red oak, cherry, mahogany, and birch. Prices vary, but the companyÂs plywood cabinets fall in the midrange for cabinetry in general and are fairly inexpensive compared to other eco-friendly lines.

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• Greenway CabinetryÂs (www.breatheeasycabinetry.com) line of Breathe Easy products are all formaldehyde free, use Green SealÂcertified finishes, and are available in renewable materials like bamboo. All its solid wood is certified as harvested in a sustainable manner, and styles range from modern to traditional. • Neil Kelly Cabinets (www.neilkelly.com) are finished with low-VOC stains, sealers, and adhesives, and are made from formaldehyde-free particleboard. TheyÂre available in a variety of styles and finishes. [pagebreak]

Be a Planet-Friendly Shopper

Although many companies now offer earth-friendly products, it can still be tough to find them in your hometown. The following Web sites can help you track them down: • www.greenhomeguide.com

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